By: Afua Biney

You have probably received emails the last few weeks from special interest towers in Van Winkle, offering you the opportunity to apply to become a member of their tower. If you are not interested in any of the existing towers, here is some good news for you.

For next academic year, residential living is offering the opportunity for undergraduate students to create two new living-learning communities. Some students have seized this opportunity and are rallying their colleagues around a particular interest to put in an application for residency in Van Winkle. Among these potential special interest groups are the Sophomore Steering Committee, the Beaver Nation Tower and the Philanthropy Tower.

I caught up with Gerri Randlett, Class Dean of 2013 and Christine Laubach, a freshman, who is rooting for the Sophomore Steering Committee to become one of the newest towers in Van Winkle next year, for a chat about their tower. I also had a conversation with Nikita Nadkarni and Brittany Bishop who are pushing for the Beaver Nation Tower. The philanthropy tower advocates declined to give any comments, as they were not comfortable discussing their potential tower before it is approved as a tower.

Why do you want to live as a special interest group?

Sophomore Steering Committee: We want to get rid of the sophomore slump – which occurs because in the freshman year, students receive extra support, help and guidance. However, in their sophomore year, there is less of this handholding as attention shifts to the new freshmen and the graduating seniors.
We intend to organize events that focus on promoting academic proficiency and leadership, with a special emphasis on philanthropy. Students in their sophomore year are thinking about important decisions such as which concentrations to pursue and their options for study abroad. We would love to provide academic advising for registration in their residence. This will be mutually beneficial because as students host staff, they help the staff members to do their job in a relaxed atmosphere.

Beaver Nation: We want to promote school spirit and a sense of unity. We want to see about 20 people from our tower attending sporting events, plays, other school events if we are approved. This will motivate those involved in the various events/shows and promote the Beaver spirit that Babson has.

Whose idea was it?

Sophomore Steering Committee: Office of Campus Life (OCL) suggested the idea. Samantha Goldstein, Christine Laubach and Tyler Murphy then took it up.

Beaver Nation: The idea was developed by Nikita Nadkarni, Brittany Bishop (both swimmers) and Ryan Pope. We learnt about the openings for new towers and wanted to do something that would appeal to the whole community, not just a section of it. We know that when BDE or Babson players hold events, friends of the actors/actresses are those who mostly attend the events. Also, people do not want to be the only one showing up for events. We want to change that.

What are the motivations?

Sophomore Steering Committee: We want to provide sophomores the opportunity to develop their leadership capabilities. Although we called it the Sophomore Steering Committee, it is not only about the six people leading the group but the whole sophomore group.

Beaver Nation: We want to unify Babson by bringing students together to attend events. In this way, we appreciate each other and value the diversity that we have.

What is unique about this tower?

Sophomore Steering Committee: There is a new philanthropy initiative we will roll out – The Piglet Project (give big to the pigs). The aim of this project will be to raise funds through piggy banks in order to support Babson. We recognize that together we can make a big difference.

Beaver Nation: Other towers are specific. Beaver Nation wants to encourage diversity on campus by bringing people together to attend different events on campus.

What benefits will members gain?

Sophomore Steering Committee: Members will have access to beneficial resources such as faculty, staff and alumni in the comforts of their residence. They will also have audience with people they ordinarily would not have access to in such a relaxed setting. It would not be beneficial to only the sophomores living in the tower because other sophomores can suggest programs whether they live there or not.

Beaver Nation: Members will have to make as much of it as they want. You can go to as many events as possible; and when you have people who are excited about where they are things happen.

How many people so far?

Sophomore Steering Committee: We have the required numbers and we will choose those who best represent the Sophomore Steering committee.

Beaver Nation: We have enough people to put in our application.

What contribution will the tower make to the Babson community?

Sophomore Steering Committee: This tower will continue to foster good relations between students, faculty, staff and alumni. In addition, we want to give back to the college since we have received so much from Babson. The piggy round ups we will initiate will promote philanthropy as an everyday event. That is what we want philanthropy to be, not just something you do in your last year but something you do all the time.

Beaver Nation: There is so little we have in common apart from being at Babson. We have an exciting mascot and if you have a fun mascot like a beaver why not make the most out of it? It is also a reason to stay on campus to appreciate all the facilities we have.

What do you think your chances of success are?

Sophomore Steering Committee: We have a good chance especially because OCL suggested this tower. We also have a great idea we are passionate about and we hope to inspire the next class to do better things for the Babson community. We have lots of school spirit not just class spirit. [They do the Beaver song, and burst into laughter afterwards]

Beaver Nation: Super High!